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What is a motorcycle: A different meaning for every rider.

Editor April 17, 2012 atv, Cruiser, Dual Sport, Off Road, Scooter, Side by Side, Sport, Standard, touring, Utility, Watercraft Leave a comment (0)

Let’s start with the basics.. What is a motorcycle?

Suffice it to say, motorcycles are motorized vehicles which operate on two or sometimes three wheels. But what are they really? Leaving the overly technical explanations aside, to me and many others they are an alternate means of travel (and entertainment) which provide the operator with gratification far beyond plain utility. The countless unique aspects of motorcycling provide a multitude of experiences that defy words but most people would agree that they each enjoy the broader aspects similarly. Some prefer the thrill of speed and agility, others connect to motorcycling through the social camaraderie, while others mostly enjoy the feel of openness that comes from being exposed to the elements while riding. For riders and passengers alike it’s hard to deny the potency of the motorcycle experience.

“Motorcycles are generally categorized into Touring, Cruiser, Sport, Standard, Dual Sport, Off-Road, and Scooter..”

Motorcycles may have started out as little more than motorized bicycles but over the last hundred plus years they have developed more than enough diversity to satisfy just about any rider. From the large touring bikes which can haul a rider, passenger, and a trailer with enough luggage for a week’s travel to the minimalist cafe racers, bobbers, and street fighters you can take your pick as to which type suits you personally. Granted that there are many bikes that cross-over or defy categorization but motorcycles are generally categorized into Touring, Cruiser, Sport, Standard, Dual Sport, Off-Road, and Scooter [to say nothing of race and other sport specific motorcycles.. that's for a whole other series]. Often you will see categories for ATV, Side by Side/Utility, and even watercraft associated with motorcycles due to their nature and availability through many Motorcycle dealerships. More about those later though…

Given that motorcycles are far more than just machines to most of us this series will be a running dialogue dedicated to expanding on the details of each different motorcycle category and what they represent. Through the rest of these articles I will cover each of the motorcycle categories and highlight some of the major models in each of them while sharing insight along the way. Down the road I hope to expand this further to cover motorcycle safety and maintenance and even some motorcycle related products and reviews but for now it’s probably best to just focus on the road ahead of me and stay in my lane. It’s going to be a fun ride.